Place: Curvelo
Born: 1915
Death: 1980
Biography:
, a renowned Brazilian illustrator and designer, was born on January 1, 1915, in Curvelo, Minas Gerais. He was the fourth child of Christiano Penna and Mercedes de Paula Penna. From an early age, Penna's talent for drawing was evident, and he went on to become a pivotal figure in Brazilian fashion.
Penna began his artistic journey in 1932, studying architecture at the National School of Fine Arts in Rio de Janeiro. However, it was his work as an artist with various magazines and newspapers that brought him into the spotlight. In 1933, he started working for O Cruzeiro, a prominent publication, creating illustrations for articles, short stories, and reportages on art.
* Ilustração para o livro de música “O Sapo Dourado” (1934), a musical book with music by Hekel Tavares and argument by Martha Dutra, published by Lytho-Typo Pimenta de Mello e Cia. * Cenários para a peça de teatro “O Sapo Dourado” (1934), directed by Oduvaldo Vianna. * Ilustrações e capas para a Revista Praia (1936). * Traduções das histórias norte-americanas publicadas no periódico O Globo Juvenil (1937-1938), in collaboration with Nelson Rodrigues.
* Three prizewinner at the Concurso para as melhores fantasias de carnaval for corso, baile, and rua (1934), promoted by the Department of Tourism of the Prefecture of Rio de Janeiro and the Association of Brazilian Artists. * Five prizewinner at the Segundo Concurso de Fantasias da AAB no Palace Hotel (1936).
Penna's bold strokes and vibrant colors influenced generations, making him a milestone in Brazilian fashion of the 20th century. His work can be found in various collections, including Plymouth City Museum and Art Gallery, which showcases his illustrations and designs that conveyed changing styles and tastes in national and international fashion.
* Alceu De Paula Penna, Wikipedia.org * Plymouth City Museum and Art Gallery, Wikioo.org * Alceu Penna, Teoria do Design (teoriadodesign.com)